Communication system and method including dual mode capability

ABSTRACT

A system and method for a communication apparatus to provide advanced features such as dual mode capability, billing options for communication charges (for instance reverse billing), and definable accessible controls. In one embodiment, a subscriber apparatus (for instance a wireless communication apparatus) including pager (such as page phone) or radiotelephone functions. A caller calls the subscriber apparatus. The caller gains two-way communication with the subscriber apparatus. The subscriber apparatus may include roaming capability to control movement of a communication channel of the subscriber apparatus from a first system (for instance a regular cellular system) to a second system (for instance a local loop). The billing options include reversing communication charges (for instance from a subscriber to a calling party), receiving advertisements to reduce communication charges, or splitting communication charges (for instance between a subscriber and a calling party).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED

This application is a divisional of patent application Ser. No.10/951,855, filed on Sep. 27, 2004, entitled “Call Receiving Apparatusand Method Having a Dedicated Switch,” which is a continuation of priorapplication Ser. No. 09/499,058, filed Feb. 4, 2000, entitled, “CallReceiving Apparatus and Method Having a Dedicated Switch,” now U.S. Pat.No. 6,879,244, which is a continuation-in-part application of aContinued Prosecution Application based on United States patentapplication Ser. No. 08/859,904 now abandoned. This application is alsorelated to U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,772 entitled “Personal Apparatus forReceiving Radiotelephone Communications”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates generally to an apparatus,system, and method utilizing two-way wireless communication that can beinitiated by, and billed to, a caller.

The present invention is also directed to a call receiving pager system,method and apparatus having call back request features. The call backrequest features comprise a switching means located on the apparatusthat is capable of sending a prerecorded voice or data message from thesubscriber apparatus to an emergency telephone number such as “911”and/or a pre-determined telephone number which are stored within thedevice. The pre-recorded voice or data message which is sent to thesestored numbers requests that the party receiving the pre-recorded voiceor data message initiate contact with the subscriber by calling thesubscriber's page number. Paging the subscriber initiates two-waywireless communication which can be carried out when the subscriberanswers the call being made to the subscriber apparatus.

The predetermined telephone number may be a call center telephonenumber. In this case, a subscriber receiving a call back from the callcenter may incur an airtime charge which can be charged on a pre-paidbasis using a credit card. Once the subscriber answers the call backfrom the call center operator, the subscriber may request connection bythe operator to a specific number wherein the operator makes theconnection on a collect call basis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile radio communication is well known in the art. Cellular radio hasspawned Personal Communication (PCS). PCS is wireless and the userrequires no tether such as the wire pair that connects a conventionaltelephone to a local serving switch. Cellular radio with a hand heldterminal, i.e., hand held cellular telephones, gives the user tetherlesstelephone communication. Further, paging systems provide the mobile andambulatory user with a means of being alerted that someone wishes tocontact or talk to that person. The cordless telephone is yet anotherexample of a tetherless personal communication device.

The public switched telecommunications network (PSTN) is vast andincludes hundreds of national networks that are interconnected to form agigantic international network. Cellular service is an adjunct to thenetwork. Cellular radio systems provide two-way signaling andcommunication by usually connecting a mobile terminal to another userthrough the PSTN where the other user is most commonly a subscriber ofthe PSTN. Nevertheless, the other user may be a mobile terminal. Most ofthe connectivity involves connecting wired telephone service to mobileusers. The mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) is the heart of acellular system for a specific serving area. The MTSO is connected tothe PSTN by a trunk group. Trunks are the telephone lines connecting onetelephone switch or exchange with another.

In contrast, paging is a one-way radio alerting system that is a simpleextension of the PTSN. Unlike cellular radio systems, the direction oftransmission is from a fixed paging to an individual. Some pagers havedigital readouts which provide the individual with a number to call backwhile others give a short message or enable a transmitter to leave avoice mail by hooking into a voice mail system.

Technology in recent years has resulted in a vast number of cordlesstelephones, cellular telephones and paging apparatus which exhibit avariety of unique and multiple features. For example, the followingdescribed inventions are directed to cellular telephones. U.S. Pat. No.4,908,848 issued to Hanawa discloses an apparatus for a mobilecommunication system having a handset which can be programmed to lockcalls, restrict calls, or time calls. U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,009 issued toBogusz et al. describes a cellular telephone having a fixed callingcapacity which limits the use of the phone by only enabling it to callemergency telephone numbers. A similar cellular telephone is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,570 issued to Boubelik which discloses anemergency radio telephone apparatus having a housing, a radiotransceiver for receiving and transmitting modulated radio signals, andan actuator connected to the housing for actuating the transceiver andinitiating the process of connecting to a predetermined emergency phonenumber. U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,772 issued to Metroka et al. describes aportable radiotelephone with control switch disabling having a keypadcovered by a movable element which produces an on-hook condition whenthe movable element is in a first position covering the keypad, and anoff-hook condition when the movable element is in a second positionexposing the keypad.

Numerous paging systems having various functions and capabilities arealso well known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,989issued to Kasugai describes a paging system having a vehicle mountedrepeater with a portable paging receiver detachably mounted on therepeater. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,963 issued to Gutman et al.discloses a paging system having a centrally located terminal and aplurality of remote pager units wherein both automatic and manualacknowledge back signaling is provided.

The prior art also includes radiotelephone and paging systems asevidenced by the following: i) U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,204 issued to Sasakiet al. discloses a cordless telephone apparatus with a removably mountedpager which reports an incoming signal from a parent device orradiotelephone; ii) U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,122 issued to Bhagat et al.describes a mobile paging call back system which includes a control unitinterconnecting a radio pager, a memory, an indicator, a control switch,and an automatic dialer with the control unit including a logic circuitthat is programmed to verify valid telephone number information receivedfrom a pager, to store the verified data in memory, to activate theindicator to show that valid data has been received and to transfer thestored data to the automatic dialer to reach a mobile radiotelephone;iii) U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,449 issued to Metroka et al. discloses anintegrated paging and radiotelephone apparatus which combines paging andcellular radiotelephone functions in a single unit having dual receiversthereby allowing reception of paging signals simultaneously withcellular radiotelephone signals; and iv) U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,473 issuedto Feeland et al. which describes an apparatus combining a radio pagerand a cellular radiotelephone into one unit which may automaticallyreceive a plurality of pages while the radiotelephone is on andcommunicating a cellular telephone call, or off or unattended.

Although combined radiotelephone and paging systems have been described,none of those systems prevents initiation of a direct two-way wirelesscommunication by the subscriber or holder of the dualpaging/radiotelephone system, nor do any of those combined systemsdescribed above include a system wherein only the outside calling partypays for the telecommunication when the caller and subscriber areactivated. Either one or both of these features would drastically reducefraudulent use of the wireless two-way communication system. Further,implementation of either or both of these features would enable asubscriber to exert optimum control over costs.

Accordingly, there is a need for a call receiving pager apparatus,system and method utilizing a dedicated switch which allow for incomingcalls but prevent direct outgoing calls in order to control costs andfraudulent use of the system. This is particularly useful in thosesituations where would like to enable their employees to have directreal-time wireless two-way communication with one another in order tofacilitate job efficiency. For example, individual employees such assales persons, drivers and delivery personnel, real estate agents, andhospital personnel could be equipped with the present invention in orderto with others within or outside of their organization either out in thefield or within a large facility that houses the employees. There isalso a need for such a call receiving pager apparatus, system and methodutilizing a dedicated switch where the calling party is billed for thecall so that a pager number is not given out to numerous individuals bythe person carrying the apparatus thereby enabling anyone to run uptelephone toll charges associated with use of the apparatus duringtwo-way communication.

Parents are another target market for this call receiving pagerapparatus, system and method utilizing a dedicated switch in that itwould enable children to be directly connected to their parents uponbeing paged by their parents without the expense of cellular telephonecharges. Such an apparatus, system and method will prevent theaccumulation of billings associated with frivolous or unnecessary callsmade by children in that the apparatus, system and method do not allowthose possessing the apparatus to make direct outgoing calls. Further,if the apparatus were stolen, it would be impossible to commit furtherfraud by charging the subscriber of the apparatus for calls because theapparatus, system and method employ caller generated billing.

Finally, there is a need for a call receiving pager apparatus, systemand method utilizing a dedicated switch which provide a subscriber ofthe apparatus with an ability to contact a number or call center numberwithout enabling the subscriber to initiate direct two-way wirelesscommunication with the predetermined number or call center therebykeeping the fraud and cost control functions of the system, method andapparatus intact. This is achieved by enabling the method, system andapparatus to send a pre-recorded voice or data message from thesubscriber apparatus to a pre-determined telephone number such as anemergency number, e.g., “911”, a home telephone number, an office orbusiness number, or a call center number. Upon connection with thepre-determined number or call center number, the transmitted prerecordedvoice or data message informs the receiver of the call as to thesubscriber's name and the subscriber's page number. The pre-recordedvoice or data message may also include a brief message from thesubscriber and then instructs the receiver to the subscriber in order toinitiate two-way wireless communication with the subscriber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a wireless local loop isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a radio frequencytransceiver adapted to communicate with a local exchange carrier and toestablish a local loop over a communication area. A cellular apparatusis included having dual mode capability. The cellular apparatus may befurther configured to provide automatic roaming capability from thelocal loop to a regular cellular system. The cellular apparatus may, inone example, initiate de-registration and registration of the cellularapparatus between the local loop and the regular cellular system.

In another embodiment, the de-registration and registration is at leastpartially in response to a detected Radio Frequency (RF) power level.Furthermore, a module may be configured to receive and process a mobileidentification number of at least one of the cellular apparatus or afirst communication apparatus such that a two-way wireless connection iscapable of being established between the first communication apparatusand the cellular apparatus.

In another aspect, a wireless local loop apparatus is disclosed. In oneembodiment, a radio frequency transceiver is configured to communicatewith a local exchange carrier, thereby facilitating a local exchangecarrier's establishment of a local loop over an area via the radiofrequency transceiver.

A wireless communication apparatus may also be provided that includes amulti-mode transceiver. The multi-mode transceiver is configured toprovide automatic roaming capability. In one example, the automaticroaming capability includes de-registration and registration of thefirst wireless device between a regular cellular system and the localloop. The de-registration and registration, in one embodiment, areresponsive to a detected RF power level of the local loop.

The wireless local loop apparatus, in one variant, is further configuredto receive and process a request and capable to establish a two-waywireless connection between the wireless communication apparatus and auser communication apparatus.

The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed tobe novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Thepresent invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation,together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood byreference to the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like numerals denote like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A shows a block diagram of a first preferred embodiment of the foruse with the personal communication system and method of the presentinvention which employs two-way wireless communication that can only beinitiated by, and billed to, the caller.

FIG. 1B shows a block diagram of a second preferred embodiment of theelectronic circuitry of an apparatus for use with personal communicationsystem and method of the present invention which employs two-waywireless communication that can only be initiated by, and billed to, thecaller.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating the conceptual layout of a wirelesssystem and its relation to the public switched telecommunicationsnetwork.

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing the conceptual layout of the publicswitched telecommunications network.

FIG. 4 is a schematic depicting a two-way wireless communication systemthat establishes instant two-way wireless communication between a publicswitched telecommunications network caller and a pagephone subscriber inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic depicting a two-way wireless communication systemthat establishes instant two-way wireless communication between awireless radiotelephone caller and a pagephone subscriber in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 6 is flow chart showing a first preferred method for a caller onlyinitiated two-way wireless communication with caller generated billingin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second, more detailed method for acaller only initiated two-way wireless communication with callergenerated billing in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8A is an open perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of acall receiving pager apparatus of the present having call back requestfeatures.

FIG. 8B is a closed perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thecaller only initiated two-way apparatus of the present invention havingcall back request features shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of the callreceiving pager apparatus of the present invention having call backrequest features shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of one example of the electronic circuitryfor carrying out the call back request features of the call receivingpager apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing the method steps for carrying out thecall back request features of one exemplary embodiment of the calleronly initiated two-way communication system.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a method for a call back request systemused in association with one exemplary embodiment of the caller onlyinitiated two-way system and apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic showing a wireless local loop communicationsystem utilizing the pagephone/call receiving pager apparatus of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic depicting a call receiving pager system of thepresent invention that establishes instant two-way wirelesscommunication between a local exchange carrier and a call receivingpager apparatus of the present invention utilizing a dedicated switch.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing one exemplary method of the present forgenerating direct two-way communication between a caller and asubscriber of a call receiving pager apparatus of the present inventionutilizing a dedicated switch.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show a flowchart of another exemplary method of thepresent invention for generating direct two-way communication between acaller and a subscriber of a call receiving pager apparatus of thepresent invention utilizing, a dedicated switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention may be described herein in terms of functionalblock components and various processing steps. It should be appreciatedthat such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardwarecomponents configured to perform the specified functions. For example,the present invention may employ various integrated circuit components,memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements,look-up tables, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functionsunder the control of one or more microprocessors or other controldevices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thepresent invention may be practiced in conjunction with any number ofdata transmission protocols and that the systems, methods, and apparatusdescribed herein are merely exemplary applications for the invention.Further, it should be noted that the present invention may employ anynumber of conventional techniques for data transmission, signaling, dataprocessing, network control, and the like. Such general techniques thatmay be known to those skilled in the art are not described in detailherein.

It should be appreciated that the particular implementations shown anddescribed herein are illustrative of the invention and its best mode andare not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present inventionin any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional signalprocessing, data transmission, and other functional aspects of thesystems (and components of the individual operating components of thesystems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical communication system.

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modescontemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Variousmodifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, since the generic principles of the present invention have beendefined herein specifically to provide for an improved and simplifiedsystem for interfacing with a telephone or similar communicationssystem, in any selected location, for enabling a caller to contact auser of an apparatus combining paging functions and radiotelephonefunctions (hereinafter referred to as a “pagephone” or a “call receivingpager apparatus”) by radiotelephone.

By way of example, and not by way of limitation, set forth below is adescription of a preferred embodiment of the simplified system, methodand apparatus for carrying out the system of the present invention whichis directed to a two-way wireless communication system with one wayinitiation by a caller and caller generated billing.

Turning now to the drawings, a block diagram 10 of one example of anelectronic circuitry of an apparatus for use with the personalcommunication system of the present invention which employs two-waywireless communication that can only be initiated by, and billed to, thecaller is shown in FIG. 1. The antenna 12 is used to receive andtransmit radiotelephone signals to and from separate receiving circuit14 and a transmitter circuit 16. The receiving and transmitting circuits12 and 14 may be assembled using components and methods well known inthe art. Both the receiving and transmitting circuits 12 and 14 arecoupled to a microprocessor 18. When a signal is received from anoutside caller having the correct mobile identification (M.I.D.) numberof the pagephone, the microprocessor 18 will activate an alert signalsuch as an audio signal 20 or vibrator 22. If the pagephone is thenfully opened a flip element is moved into the open position such as witha flip phone), and not in use, a further switch means is activated inthe pagephone. Activation of the further switch means enables themicroprocessor to activate the radiotelephone transmitter 16 so that thepagephone will receive incoming signals and transmit outgoing signals tothereby allow a conversation to take place between the caller and theuser of the unit. It is also contemplated that a caller identificationsystem may be incorporated into the method and apparatus of the presentinvention to allow a user of the apparatus to determine who is pagingthat user before the user answers the page and connects with the caller.

The apparatus for use with the electronic circuitry preferably comprisesa transmitting means that is only capable of transmitting radiotelephonesignals that are associated with the signals received from thepagephone. The system may also include an optional voice mail means 26which is later described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The system mayfurther include an interface circuit 28 which is coupled to themicroprocessor 18 which sends verbal voice mail message left by callersto a pager receiver 30. The pager receiver 30 transmits the voice mailmessages to a speaker 32 which enables the pagephone user to hear theirvoice mail messages without accessing a telephone to retrieve theirmessages. The speaker 32 may also be coupled to a liquid crystal display(LCD) 34 which can show the number of the message, the time the messagewas left, and the telephone number of the caller. If the pagephone is inuse during the transmission of another call to the pagephone, the voicemail message system may be triggered automatically to replay storedmessages upon closing the flip element of the page phone. Upon closingthe flip element, the pagephone either visibly or audibly indicates thatvoice mail messages have been stored. The user then opens the flipelement to retrieve and listen to the voice mail messages. In addition,the pagephone apparatus may utilize voice mail messaging means externalto the pagephone apparatus which can be accessed by a pagephonesubscriber by using any type of direct dial out telephone. (See, e.g.,FIGS. 14-16 and their accompanying descriptions which describe the voicemail as being stored in an outside dedicated switch.

Other radiotelephone transceiving apparatus that may be successfullyused in conjunction with the caller initiated and billed personalcommunication system of the present invention are disclosed anddescribed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,772 which is directed to apersonal apparatus for receiving radiotelephone communications and isherein incorporated by reference.

A second preferred embodiment of the hardware comprising the electroniccircuitry of an apparatus for use with the personal communication systemof the present invention which employs two-way wireless communicationthat can only be initiated by, and billed to, the caller is shown inFIG. 1B. The major components shown are comparable to those found inmost makes of wireless mobile phones.

The antenna 40 is used to receive and transmit radiotelephone signals toand from the radio frequency 42. The radio frequencytransmitter/receiver 42 converts the radio frequency analog into digitalwhen a signal is received and converts the digital to analogue when asignal is transmitted from the radio frequency transmitter/receiver 42.The digital signal 44 is responsible for the generation of the radiofrequency signal which is transmitted to the MTSO when the pagephone hasbeen activated upon receipt of a signal. Current state of the artmicrochips for phones include this functioning for either time divisionmultiple access (TDMA) digital techniques or code division multipleaccess (CDMA) digital techniques. The system, method and apparatus ofthe present invention can be used with these and any other wirelessprotocols currently available or which may later become available.

The digital signal modulator/demodulator 44 is connected to the centralprocessor unit (CPU) 46 through the data bus and address bus. The CPU 46is responsible for handling the protocols needed for processing a calland other call related functions such as the voice mail system. Uponreceipt of a signal indicating the receiving of an outside call from theMTSO, the CPU 46 will activate an alert or alarm 48 in the form of anaudio signal or vibration. A speaker/microphone 49 is coupled to theCodec 50 which is used to convert the voice data from analog to digitaland digital to analog. Once the voice data is converted, the DSP(Vocoder) 52 is used to compress the output of Codec 50 in order toreduce the bandwidth of the voice data. Data may be stored in the datamemory 54 and additional programmable functions may be stored in theprogram memory 56 until accessed.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the wireless system layout andits relation to the public switched telecommunications network whileFIG. 3 shows a schematic of the public switched telecommunicationsnetwork. In FIG. 3, there are numerous individual subscribers 60 thatsubscribe to the PSTN and these subscribers are linked to local exchangecarriers (LEC) and are interconnected by trunks. Toll connecting trunks66 connect the local network to the toll network 68. 2 shows thetelephone switching office (MTSO) as the heart of the wireless systemfor a specific serving area. The conventional wirelesstelecommunications switched network is a network consisting of aplurality of wireless antennae 72 capable of receiving wireless bandradio frequency signals 74, with each of the plurality of wireless 72being associated with a discrete cell site 76. The plurality of antennae72 represent mobile units. The mobile units may be hand held or vehiclemounted terminals. Each of the plurality of wireless antennae 72 iselectrically linked to a wireless switch 78 (the MTSO) which governs theoperation of the wireless telecommunications switched network 70 andlinks the network 70 to a local exchange carrier 80 via land lines 82.As previously described with reference to FIG. 2, the local exchangecarrier 80 is connected to the toll network 84 via connecting trunks 86.Satellite means 88 may also be used to access the MTSO 78 via satellitesignals 90. The MTSO 78 can then access the toll system 84 as previouslydescribed.

A schematic depicting a two-way wireless communication systemestablishing two-way wireless communication between a public switchedtelecommunications network caller and a pagephone subscriber, includingcaller generated billing, in accordance with the present invention isshown in FIG. 4. A PSTN land caller 100 initiates a telephone call bydialing a pagephone number. The pagephone number is transmitted to theLocal Exchange Carrier (LEC) 102. The LEC 102 sends a signal to theSignal Transfer Point (STP) 104 requesting connection and the STP 104signals the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MISO) 106 wirelessservice provider. The MTSO 106 pages the pagephone via a cell site 108of the MTSO 106 and the pagephone subscriber activates the pagephone 110upon being alerted to the page by an audio tone or vibration emanatingfrom the pagephone 100. Activating the pagephone 110 may constitute asimple action such as flipping open a cover element on the pagephone 110or depressing an activation button. The call is then set up as a mobileto land call and billing is stored as a pagephone call. Once thepagephone 110 is activated, the MTSO 106 sends a signal and the call isconnected to the LEC 102 so that the land caller 100 is answered by theuser or subscriber.

Referring now to the caller generated billing aspect of the invention,it was previously that the MTSO stores the details of the call, the calldetails 112, to the pagephone 118 as a pagephone call. The LEC 102 thenretrieves the call details from the MTSO 106 and the LEC 102 bills theland caller 100. Alternatively, the system of the present invention maybe set up to generate split billing such that the subscriber pays a setportion, or a predetermined percentage, of the call and the land callerpays for the remaining portion of the call.

A wireless telephone may also be used to initiate a call to thepagephone which is used with the two-way wireless communication systemof the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic depicting a two-waywireless communication system that establishes calling party paystwo-way wireless communication between a wireless radiotelephone callerand a pagephone subscriber in accordance with the present invention. Thewireless (mobile) caller 120 initiates a telephone call by dialing apagephone number. The call is received by a cell site 121 of the MTSO(B) 122, which is the mobile telephone switching wireless serviceprovider for the wireless (mobile) caller. The MTSO (B) transmits thesignal to the local exchange carrier (LEC) 124 and the LEC 124 requestsconnection by sending a signal to the signal transfer point (STP) 126.

The STP 126 then signals the MTSO (A) 128 which is the mobile telephoneswitching office wireless service provider for the pagephone subscriber.The MTSO (A) 128 pages the pagephone 130 via a cell site 132 of the MTSO(A) 128 and the pagephone subscriber activates the pagephone 130 uponbeing alerted to the page by an audio tone or vibration emanating fromthe pagephone 130. Activating the pagephone 130 may constitute a simpleaction such as flipping open a cover element on the pagephone 130 ordepressing an activation button. The call is then set up as a mobile toland call and billing is stored as a pagephone call. Once the pagephone130 is activated, the MTSO (A) 128 sends a signal and the call isconnected to the LEC 124. The LEC 124 sends a signal to the MTSO (B) 122and upon the MTSO (B) receiving the signal, the call is connected to theMTSO (B) so that the wireless (mobile) caller 120 is answered by thepagephone user or subscriber.

Billing of the wireless caller 120 may occur in one of two ways. First,the MTSO (B) 122 of the wireless service provider for the wirelesscaller 120 may store the call details 134 of the call made to thepagephone as a pagephone call and the LEC 124 may retrieve the call data134 from the MTSO (B) 122 and bill the wireless caller 120 through theirwireless service provider. Second, the MTSO (A) 128 of the wirelessservice provider for the pagephone subscriber may store the call details136 of the pagephone call. The LEC 124 can then retrieve the call datafrom the MTSO and bill the wireless caller 120 through their wirelessservice provider. Alternatively, the system of the present invention maybe set up to generate split billing between the subscriber and thecaller such that the subscriber pays a set portion, or predeterminedpercentage, of the call and the wireless caller pays for the remainingportion of the call.

A flow chart showing a first preferred method for a caller onlyinitiated two-way wireless communication with caller generated billingin accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. Morespecifically, this flow chart outlines the functioning for the pagephoneapparatus in its prescribed system and network area. The initialfunction of the pagephone is virtually the same as a normal pager. Inthe Off state 150, no power is applied and the pagephone is unable toreceive any kind of information. In order to utilize the pagephone, thepagephone subscriber powers up the unit to the Sleep Mode 152. In thismode, the pagephone acquires the paging channel timing and monitors thepaging channel for incoming pages. Once the pagephone receives a page,from either a land or mobile caller, the subscriber is alerted to thepage by either an audible sound or a vibration. The pagephone unit thenenters the Wait Mode 154. The pagephone will then wait for a specifiedamount of time to allow the pagephone user or subscriber to answer thepagephone. This period will typically be a matter of seconds.

If the time period expires without an answer, the outside caller isdiverted to the pagephone's voice mail system 156, which is laterdescribed in further detail with reference to FIG. 7. When the voicemail ends, the call details are stored and the pagephone returns to theSleep Mode 152. Alternatively, if the pagephone is answered in thespecified period of time, the pagephone enters the Active Mode 158. Whenthe pagephone user answers the pagephone, it sends a registrationmessage to the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) in order to makeits exact whereabouts known, and to request a call set up to the pageoriginator. The page originator is preferably identified in the pagemessage so that the pagephone user can determine whether or not theywant to take the call. Once the MTSO connects the call, the pagephoneenters the Talk Mode 160 during which a two way conversation takes placebetween the pagephone user and the call originator. Upon completion ofthe call, the pagephone returns to the Sleep Mode 152.

Turning now to the MTSO functions, the MTSO detects a pagephone number,sends the page to the pagephone, and then enters the Wait Period 162 towait for a response. If a timely response is received, the MTSO sets upthe call and the Conversation Mode 164 is entered. The MTSO then recordsand stores the call details. The caller initiating the call to thepagephone is then charged for the air time of the call.

Local pagephone calls will preferably be given priority on the pagingchannel in its area of coverage over normal pagers in order to ensurethat pagephone calls are initiated with a page message within seconds oforiginating a call to the pagephone. The pagephone's Wait Mode willtypically range from three to five seconds. The Wait Period at the MTSOwill be a similar range but will always be greater than that of thepagephone. Registration and call set up is expected to takeapproximately three to fifteen seconds depending upon the distance ofthe call and the time of day. In the event that the cellular system isloaded and the page cannot be issued instantly, the originator of thecall to the pagephone will be diverted to voice mail. As an alternativeto having the originating caller wait on line for the call to beconnected, a “Call Back” feature may be implemented. This feature wouldprovide the originator of the call with a message to hang up their phoneand wait to be contacted. Once the pagephone receives the page and thecall is connected, the originator's telephone would then call thepagephone back. This feature can be used during hours of peak load onthe cellular system instead of diverting to voice mail. This featurecould also be provided to the pagephone subscriber as an option providedby the service provider.

The main advantage of the pagephone system, method and apparatus of thepresent invention is that it is entirely passive and does not transmitany signals while in the Sleep Mode. Transmission is only initiatedafter a page message addressed to the pagephone is received and thepagephone user answers the pagephone. This transmission is to registerthe pagephone's existence with the MTSO and to set up the call.Therefore, the pagephone's location within the local area is unknown upto the point where it is contacted by an originating caller. This systemand method reduce the load on all other channels and prolong the life ofthe pagephone's battery.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart showing a second, more detailed method for acaller only initiated two-way wireless communication with callergenerated billing in accordance with the present invention. Referringnow to FIG. 7, an outside caller 220, either a PSTN caller or wirelesscaller, initiates a telephone call by calling a pagephone number. Thecall from the outside caller 220 is transmitted to a switch or LEC 222which is then transmitted to a telephone toll system 224. The call isthen transmitted to the MTSO (wireless switch) 226 and the MTSO 226sends a signal to a unit in step one 228.

The unit is preferably a radiotelephone transceiving apparatus in theform of a pagephone which comprises: 1) a housing with no keypad and nokeypad circuitry so that the apparatus is a caller initiated onlyreceiving apparatus for wireless two-way communication where no outgoingcalls can be initiated by a user, 2) a receiving means for receivingradiotelephone signals contained within the housing. 3) transmissionmeans for transmitting radiotelephone signals by the receiving meansupon receipt of radiotelephone signals by the receiving means wherebythe apparatus can only be used to supervise a two-way voicecommunication initiated from another telephone apparatus, 4) processingmeans coupled to the transmission means and receiving means forprocessing received signals and only transmitting radiotelephone signalsin response to receipt of a signal having the correct mobileidentification number of the transceiving apparatus whereby theprocessing means cannot create an outgoing address signal and can onlyproduce an alert signal in response to a signal having the correctmobile identification number, and 5) means for indicating thatradiotelephone signals coupled to the processing means are received.

In step two 230, the toll system 224 determines if the call was receivedby the unit. If the call was not received, the system 224 determines ifthe unit is in use 232. If the unit is in use, the system 224 has todetermine if the caller has disconnected 234. The caller may be able toleave a voice mail message for the user. Two options exist for the voicemail—the voice mail can either be manually retrieved by the user of theunit 236 or the voice mail can automatically call back and play amessage via the wireless system 238. With respect to the manual voicemail retrieval option, a pagephone subscriber may either access atelephone and call their page number to receive messages or,alternatively, the subscriber may manually push a “play” button on thepagephone which will play back voice mail messages that are recordeddirectly into the pagephone via a miniature recording system.

If the unit is not in use, the system 224 determines if the unit is outof the service area 240. If the system 224 is out of the area, thesystem 224 returns to determine whether the caller has disconnected 234.If the unit is in the service area 240 the system 224 determines if thesignal received by the unit is too low for transmission 242. If thesignal received by the unit is too low for transmission 242, the system224 returns to determine whether the caller has disconnected 234. If thesignal received by the unit is not too low for transmission, the system224 determines if the unit responds to the incoming signal within apredetermined time 244. If the unit does not respond to the signalwithin the predetermined time 244, then the system 224 returns todetermine whether the caller has disconnected 234.

If the unit responds to the incoming signal then the unit is activatedfor two-way between the caller and the unit subscriber 246. If the callwas received by the unit and not activated 248 then the caller 220 canleave a voice mail message for the unit 236,238. If the unit isactivated 248 and normal two-way communication proceeds 246, the tollsystem begins to count air time 250. When the call is completed the unitis deactivated 252 and the air time count is stopped. The total air timeis calculated and recorded and billed to the outside caller's initiatingtelephone number 256. The unit then returns to the sleep mode 258.

The foregoing has described a simplified two way wireless communicationsystem wherein the calling party initiates the call and pays for thecall. The system does not allow for transmitting outgoing calls and onlyallows for receiving calls thereby reducing fraud and creating a methodfor use by employers and parents alike that allows for controlling costsof two-way wireless communication.

Turning now to FIG. 8A, there is shown a first exemplary embodiment ofthe call receiving pager apparatus 270 of the present invention havingcall back request features. The apparatus 270 comprises a body 272 and arotatably coupled flip element 274. The body 272 and flip element 274are preferably comprised of a hard plastic or other suitable material.The body 272 may be any desired size but in a preferred version isapproximately four inches in height, two inches in width, and one inchin thickness. The flip element 274 is preferably three and one-halfinches in length and one and one-half inches in width. The body 272includes an internal face portion 279, having no keypad or other callproducing elements thereon, which lies in continuous adjacentcommunication with an internal surface 275 of the flip element 274. Theflip element 274 has a microphone 276 affixed therein.

The flip element 274 includes an antenna 278, which may be containedinternally in a known or may extend outwardly from a top side 280 of theapparatus 270, and a speaker 282 disposed in the body 272. The speaker282 is located near the top side 283, and affixed to an interior portionof, the internal face 279 of the body 272. A switching means forswitching the apparatus from a sleep state to an awake state comprisinga push button 286 or any other known means is positioned so that theflip element 274 opens and closes the switching means upon opening andclosing the flip element 274. That is, when the flip element 274 engagesinternal face portion 279, the apparatus 270 will be in the activatedstate, ready to receive a call and conduct two-way communication, asdescribed more fully below. Alternatively, a switching means forreceiving an incoming call may be positioned anywhere else on the pagerwhere its activation is dependent upon depressing the push button ormanually sliding a switch.

A detachable, rechargeable battery pack 288 may be slideably coupledwithin the internal face portion 279 of the body 272 for providing powerto the electronic circuitry of the apparatus 270. This internalpositioning of the battery pack 288 results in a more streamlinedapparatus which protects the battery pack from being inadvertentlyknocked off or disconnected from the body 272. An optional lightemitting diode (L.E.D.) may be located on the back side (not shown) ofthe body 272 or on the internal face portion 279. The L.E.D. is used toindicate when the output of the battery 286 drops below a desired level.

A connection jack 289 may also be contained within the body 272 of theapparatus 270 to allow for the connection of a keyboard or otherinformation inputting device. The keyboard or information inputtingdevice (not shown) enables the input of a pre-determined call backnumber and message from a user whereby the user can later select anactivation switch or button associated with the pre-determined call backnumber and the pre-determined call back number will be transmitted. Therecipient of the pre-determined call back number will then hear amessage requesting the recipient to call the user at the user's pagernumber. This addition to the apparatus 270 still substantially limitsthe user's ability to use the apparatus 270 for two-way wirelesscommunication. The user initiate unlimited two-way communication butinstead can only send a message requesting a call back.

Control of inputting the pre-determined information via an inputtingdevice (not shown) may be at the point of sale of the apparatus 270.Alternatively, the purchaser of the apparatus 270 may control theinformation input into the device by keeping the inputting deviceseparate from the apparatus 270 and exerting control over the inputtingdevice.

The flip element 274 contains switches, push buttons, or touch pads forthe function 300, a function 301, an emergency call back numbersfunction 302, a predetermined call back number function 298, a recordfunction 294, and a call mail play back function 303. The record switchpad 294 allows a subscriber to pre-record a message for latertransmission to a predetermined telephone number in order to relay arequest for the receiver to call back the subscriber to the apparatus270 of the present invention. The apparatus 270 also includes call backrequest features in the form of a predetermined call back number switchpad 298 and an emergency call back number switch pad 302. Thepredetermined call back number may comprise either a home or officetelephone number. An ON/OFF switch pad for the apparatus 270 is alsoincluded. Alternatively, the call back number switch pad 298, theemergency call back number switch 302 and the switch pad for theapparatus 270 may all constitute one switch pad which activates thedifferent features according to the number of depressions of the switchpad. Also, in order to avoid accidental activation, the emergency callback number switch pad 302 may be set apart from, and away from, thepredetermined call back number switch pad 298 and the switch pad 300.

Actuation of switch pads 298 or 300 causes operation of the apparatus270 to transmit a predetermined call back number or an emergency callback number, respectively, to a mobile telephone switching (MTSO) toeffectuate telephonic communication with a fixed site of a telephonicnetwork associated with the respective call sequence.

FIG. 8B shows a closed perspective view of the call receiving pagerapparatus shown in FIG. 8A. In the closed position, a liquid crystaldisplay 304 is located within the top side 280 of the flip element 274.This allows the user or subscriber of the call receiving pager apparatusto view the text or numerical numbers which may have been left by acaller. The flip element 274 is folded shut against the body 272 of thecall receiving pager apparatus such that the battery pack 288 iscontained and protected within the closed call receiving pager apparatus270. The rotatable element 305 which secures the flip element 274 to thebody 272 can be clearly seen.

Turning now to FIG. 9, there is an exploded view of the exemplaryembodiment of the call receiving pager apparatus 270 shown in FIGS. 8Aand 8B. A clip 370, clip spring 372, and clip pin 374 are attached tothe outer surface 376 of the body 274 of the call receiving pagerapparatus 270. A speaker 378 and a lithium battery 380 are placed withinthe internal surface 279 of the body 272 of the apparatus 270. A batterycover 382 is used to cover and hold the lithium battery 380 in place. Apower-on light 384 and an LCD cover 386 are placed on an outer surfaceof the flip element 274 so that they can be easily viewed by a userwhile a PC board 388, an antenna 390, and a microphone 392 arepositioned within the flip element. A power button 394 is secured withinthe inner surface 275 of the element 274 to enable the unit to becomeactivated upon opening of the flip element 274. Finally, a removableclip element 396 may be used in place of a clip element 370 that issecured to the outer surface 376 of the body 272 of the call receivingpager apparatus 270. The removable clip element 396 is designed to slideover a substantial portion of the body 272 such that the body 272 isseated within the removable clip element 396.

Turning now to the functions contained within, and capable of beingcarried out by, the call receiving pager apparatus 270, a block diagramof one example of the electronic circuitry for carrying out the callback request features of the apparatus 270 is shown in FIG. 10. Apredetermined call back number, a home, office or business telephonenumber is entered and stored in a memory section 310 associated withmicroprocessor 18, which is the same microprocessor referred to inFIG. 1. This predetermined call back number will be the telephone numberthat is called when the predetermined call back number switch 312 isclosed or activated. An emergency call back number such as “911” is alsoentered and stored in the memory section 310 of the microprocessor 18.The emergency call back will be called when the emergency call backnumber switch 314 is closed or activated. When either the predeterminedcall back switch 312 or the emergency call back number switch 314 areactivated, the memory section 310 of the microprocessor 18 is accessedto obtain the stored telephone number associated with the respectiveswitch. The retrieved telephone is then sent to the transmitter 16,which is the same transmitter referred to in FIG. 1, so that the signalcan be transmitted to the MTSO and the connection can be made betweenthe apparatus 270 and the communication device associated with thetransmitted telephone number.

A record switch 316 is connected to a recorder 317 for recording amessage from the subscriber which is transmitted to the microprocessor18 and stored in the memory section 310. The pre-recorded messagecontains the name and pager number along with a request to call thepager number in order to initiate two-way wireless communication withthe subscriber. The pre-recorded message may also include an additionalbrief statement from the subscriber. It should also be understood bythose skilled in the art that the pre-recorded voice message may insteadtake the form of a data message.

Upon transmission of and connection with a predetermined or emergencycall back number, the memory 210 of the microprocessor 18 is accessed toretrieve the subscriber's pre-recorded voice or data message and thepre-recorded voice or data message is sent to the transmitter 16 fortransmission to the predetermined or emergency call back number. Thesubscriber can then activate the two-way wireless communication with thepredetermined or emergency number upon receiving a signal from anoutside caller calling from one of those by flipping the flip element274 of the apparatus 270 to an open position.

FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram showing the method steps for carrying outthe call back request features of the caller only initiated two-waysystem. First, as indicated in blocks 320 and 322, a predetermined callback number and an emergency number are entered and stored,respectively, in separate sections of the memory 310 of themicroprocessor 18. Next, in blocks 324 and 326 initiation of thetransmission of the predetermined call back number or emergency numberby way of the predetermined call back switch 312 or emergency call backswitch 314, respectively, results in accessing the memory section 310 ofthe microprocessor 18 to retrieve the stored telephone numbersassociated with the switches 312 and 314 as shown in blocks 328 and 330.Then, as indicated by block 332, the memory section 310 of themicroprocessor 18 is accessed to retrieve the pre-recorded voice or datamessage from the subscriber and the pre-recorded voice or data messagefrom the subscriber is transmitted to the retrieved telephone number inblock 334. The pre-recorded voice or data message may be retrieved fromthe memory section 16 of the microprocessor 18 either before or thepredetermined or emergency telephone number is transmitted andconnection is made in order to transmit the pre-recorded voice or datamessage.

A flow chart showing the method for a call back request system used inassociation with the caller only initiated two-way communication systemand apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 12. In step one, it is determinedwhether either the emergency call back switch 336 is activated or thepredetermined call back number switch 338 is activated. If the emergencycall back switch 336 is activated 340 then the pre-stored emergencytelephone number is accessed 342 in step two or, if the predeterminedcall back number switch 338 is activated 344 then the predetermined callback number is obtained from the microprocessor memory 346 in step two.

As can be seen from the flow diagram depicted in FIG. 12, anyone of theemergency call back number switch 336, the predetermined call backnumber switch 338, or the sleep state 348 can be activated but only oneof these functions may be carried out at a time. In other words, if theemergency call back number switch 336 is not activated 350, then eitherthe predetermined call back number switch 338 may be activated 344 orthe sleep state 348 may be activated to await an outside caller's page.If the predetermined call back number switch 338 is not activated 352,then either the emergency call back switch 336 can be activated 340 orthe sleep state 348 can be activated to await an outside caller's page.Finally, a subscriber may deactivate the sleep state 348 by activatingeither the emergency call back number switch 336 or the predeterminedcall back number switch 338.

In step three 354, a signal is sent to the MTSO with the signal beingdependent upon which telephone number was retrieved in step two above. Aconnection is made between the apparatus 270 and either thecommunication apparatus (e.g. telephone) associated with the emergencycall back number or the communication apparatus (e.g., telephone)associated with the predetermined call back number. A determination ismade in step four 356 as to whether the connection has been made betweenone of the two pre-stored telephone numbers and the apparatus 270. Ifthe connection is made 357, the memory section of the microprocessor isaccessed in step live 358 to obtain and retrieve the subscriber'sprerecorded voice or data message. The subscriber's pre-recorded voiceor data message is then transmitted to either the emergency call backnumber or predetermined call back number in step six 360. Once theprerecorded message is transmitted, the call is terminated anddisconnected in step seven 362. The system then returns to sleep state348 to await an outside caller's return call in response to thesubscriber's pre-recorded voice or data message.

If the connection between the apparatus 270 and the predetermined callback or the emergency call back number is not made 364, either theemergency call back number switch 336 or predetermined call back numberswitch 338 can be activated or re-activated, or, the system may returnto sleep state 348.

FIG. 13 shows a wireless local loop system 400 which utilizes thepagephone receiving pager apparatus of the present invention. Low poweromnidirectional radio frequency transmitter/receiver 402 are used whichallow local exchange carriers 404 to provide loops 406 up to T1 (24)capacity to each wireless local loop subscriber.

Existing wireless local loops typically require the wireless local loopsubscriber install a transmitter/receiver box 408 on the premises orwithin the local loop area 410. Phone cable is then run from thetransmitter/receiver box 408 to fixed land line telephones. In contrast,when pagephones or call receiving pager apparatus 414 of the presentinvention are utilized in a wireless local loop system 400, no suchtransmitter/receiver box 408 is required.

In a wireless local loop system 400, each pagephone or call receivingpager apparatus 414 operates on a dedicated frequency within thewireless local loop subscriber's premises or local loop area 410 andcommunicates directly with the telephone company's wireless local looptransmitter/receiver 402. It will be understood by those skilled in theart that the pagephones or call receiving pager apparatus 414 mayco-exist with the local loop transmitter/receiver box 408 and fixed linetelephones 412.

The pagephones or call receiving pager apparatus 414 of the presentinvention may also utilize a dual mode transmitter/receiver to allow forautomatic roaming from the premises or local loop area 410 to a regularcellular system. The wireless local loop 400 and cellular frequenciesare preferably close in spectrum, the wireless local loop 900 MHz andcellular frequency 800 MHz, for simplicity of design. The pagephone orcall receiving pager apparatus 414 will monitor radio frequency (RF)power levels to determine movement from one system to another andinitiate automatic de-registration and registration to the new system.Automatic de-registration and registration will not occur during a callwhen moving from one system to another because the systems are distinct.The wireless local loop will always take precedence over cellularsystems when the wireless local loop frequency is detected above apredefined power level.

Turning now to FIG. 14, a schematic depicting a call receiver pagingsystem 420 of the present invention is shown that establishes instanttwo-way wireless communication between a caller through their localexchange carrier 422 and a receiving pager apparatus 424 utilizing adedicated switch 426. the call receiving pager system 420 utilizesdedicated switch 426 to provide proprietary access, billing functionsand enhanced features including, but not limited to, calling party paysbilling, selective drop in messaging, voicemail service and verificationencoding.

The dedicated switch 426 provides call receiving pager apparatus 424connectivity routed from land servicing local exchange carrier 422 towireless mobile telephone switching office 428. Dedicated switch 426maintains three separate numbers for call receiving pager apparatus424—a directory inbound dialing number (DID) to be used by callerscalling the call receiving pager apparatus 424, a mobile identificationnumber recognized only by mobile telephone switching station (MTSO) 428,and a verification encoding signal (VES) sent by dedicated switch 426and recognized only be call receiving pager apparatus 424.

Dedicated switch 426 is directly networked together with a file server430, a voicemail unit 432, a line information database duplicator 434,an interactive voice response unit (IVRU) 436, and an applicationsprocessor administrative front end 438. The FS 430 maintains severaldatabases including, but not limited to, customer profiles, messagingprofiles lookup tables and call receiving pager apparatus serviceinformation. The IVRU 436 stores several digital audio messagesincluding, but not limited to, calling party pays (CPP) reverse billingmessages, customer status messages (CSM), and airtime discounted servicemessages (ADS). The VMU 432 provides personalized message storage forthe pagephone caller which can only be retrieved by the call receivingpager apparatus subscriber. The VMU 432 will automatically connect tothe caller when the call receiving pager subscriber does not answer thecall or page or when the caller specifically chooses to enter the voicemail option.

The LIDB duplicator 434 stores information about the calling party andtheir local exchange carrier billing company. This database creates arecord of first time callers by validation, over telephone circuits, onthe nationwide network utilizing DTMF, SS7, ISDN and all futureintelligent networks. The system will only revalidate the record of arepeat caller every thirty days to maintain system efficiency. The AP438 provides the service interface to the switching system over a widearea network (WAN). The customer service department performs variousprovisioning tasks that include, but are not limited to, the initialDID/MIN/VES setup of the call receiving pager apparatus customers withexpiration information, the demographic profile of the call receivingpager apparatus customers, the demographic profiles of the ADSadvertisers and the audio file downloading of the various IVRU 436messages.

The present invention also contemplates the use of the above describeddedicated switch in all types of cellular communications including, butnot limited to, standard wireless cellular telephones and standardpagers.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of one exemplary method of the presentinvention for generating direct two-way communication between a callerand a subscriber of a call receiving pager apparatus of the presentinvention utilizing a dedicated switch. A call is initiated 450 to thecall receiving pager apparatus and is then routed 452 by the localexchange carrier to the call receiving pager apparatus dedicated switch.The dedicated switch looks up 454 the dialed directory number in alookup table to determine its associated mobile identification numberand verification code. Next, the call is re-routed 456 to the MTSO usingthe mobile identification number. The MTSO then sends 458 the pagemessage to the call receiving pager apparatus and the call receivingpager apparatus alerts 460 the call receiving pager apparatus subscriberthat they are receiving a page or call. The then decides 462 whether ornot to answer the call.

If the subscriber does not answer the call, the caller is diverted 464to voice mail. If the subscriber does answer the call, the dedicatedswitch initiates 466 direct two-way communication between the caller andthe subscriber but the call receiving pager apparatus stays muted. Thededicated switch then sends 468 the associated verification code as DTMFtones to the call receiving pager apparatus. The receiving pagerapparatus then verifies 470 the code against a code that is internallypreprogrammed into the call receiving pager apparatus. If the codes donot match, the direct two-way communication between the caller and thesubscriber is terminated 472 before unmuting the call receiving pagerapparatus. Alternatively, if the codes do match, the direct two waycommunication between the caller and the subscriber is allowed toproceed by unmuting 474 the call receiving pager apparatus.

Turning now FIGS. 16A and 16B, a flowchart is depicted showing anotherexemplary method 500 of the present invention for generating directtwo-way communication between a caller and a call receiving pagerapparatus subscriber utilizing a dedicated switch. First, in step one502, a call is initiated to the pagephone's DID. The dedicated switchthen captures the automatic number identification (ANI) of the callingparty and the subscriber's DID in step two 504. In step three 506, thededicated switch performs MIN/DID/VES conversion and the in step four508, a determination is made as to whether or not the pagephone hascurrent status. If the pagephone does not have current status, the callis terminated in step five 510. However, if the pagephone does havecurrent status, a determination is made in step six 512 as to whetherthe AIN is billable in the database. If the ANI is not billable (i.e.,ANI is a payphone or hotel phone), the IVRU will play a message to thecaller in step six 514 indicating that the caller has a choice to eitherhear airtime service (ADS) advertisements or be connected directly tothe VMU. If the caller request to be connected to the VMU, the VMU playsin step seven 516 and the call is then terminated in step eight 518. Ifthe caller elects to hear the ADS advertisements, the ADS advertisementsare played in step nine 520.

On the other hand, if the AIN is (i.e., AIN is a home or office phone),the IVRU will play a message to the caller in step ten 522 to indicatingthat the caller has a choice to either accept the per minute toll chargeand have it directly billed to their local telephone bill or hear theADS advertisements. If the caller elects to hear the ADS advertisements,the ADS advertisements are played in step nine 520 and the dedicatedswitch then sends out the MIN to the MTSO over the PSTN in step eleven524 after the ADS advertisements are played. However, if the callerelects to accept the toll charge, the dedicated switch immediately sendsout the MIN to the MTSO over the PSTN as in step eleven 524.

Once the MIN is sent to the MTSO, the MTSO determines if the MIN isvalid in step twelve 526. If the MIN is not valid, the call isterminated in step thirteen 528. However, if the MIN is valid, the MTSOsends a page to the pagephone in step fourteen 530. A determination ismade in step fifteen 532 as to whether the pagephone is available. Ifthe pagephone is not available, the VMU plays in step sixteen 534 andthe call is terminated in step seventeen 536 after the VMU is played.Alternatively, if the pagephone is available, the subscriber answers thecall in step eighteen 538. The dedicated switch then sends theverification code (VES) to the pagephone in step nineteen 540. If theVES is determined in step twenty 542 to be correct, two way directcommunication is enabled between the caller and the subscriber in steptwenty-one 544. However, if the VES is determined to be incorrect instep 542, the call is terminated in step twenty-two 546.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can beconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced other than as specificallydescribed herein.

1.-23. (canceled)
 24. A wireless system, comprising: a radio frequencytransceiver adapted to communicate with a local exchange carrier and toestablish a local loop over a communication area; a cellular apparatushaving dual mode capability and configured to provide automatic roamingcapability from said local loop to a cellular system, and to initiate atleast one of de-registration and registration of said cellular apparatusbetween said local loop and said cellular system at least partially inresponse to a detected Radio Frequency (RF) power level; and a moduleconfigured to receive and process a mobile identification number of atleast one of said cellular apparatus or a first communication apparatussuch that a two-way wireless connection is capable of being establishedbetween said first communication apparatus and said cellular apparatus.25. The system of claim 24, wherein said detected RF power level iscapable of registering said cellular apparatus with said local loop fromsaid cellular system when said detected RF power level is detected abovea predefined power level.
 26. The system of claim 24, wherein said localloop is adapted to provide up to T1 capacity to a wireless local loopsubscriber.
 27. The system of claim 24, wherein said cellular apparatusis adapted to operate on a dedicated frequency within a wireless localloop subscriber's premises or said communication area.
 28. The system ofclaim 24, wherein said local loop and said cellular system are adaptedto utilize frequencies that are close in spectrum.
 29. The system ofclaim 24, wherein said local loop and said cellular system are adaptedto utilize operational frequencies within approximately 100 MHz of eachother.
 30. The system of claim 24, further comprising a databaseconfigured to reverse charges of at least a portion of said two-waycommunication to an account associated with the first communicationapparatus.
 31. The system of claim 24, further comprising a customerprofile that is adapted to reduce at least a portion of communicationcharges at least partially in response to receipt of one or more airtimediscounted service (ADS) messages.
 32. The system of claim 24, furthercomprising a database profile configured to reverse communicationcharges.
 33. The system of claim 24, further comprising a databaseprofile configured to divide communication charges between a subscriberand an account associated with the first communication apparatus.
 34. Awireless device, comprising: a radio frequency transceiver configured tocommunicate with: a local exchange carrier; and wireless communicationapparatus comprising a multi-mode transceiver configured to provideautomatic roaming capability, the automatic roaming capabilitycomprising at least one or de-registration and registration of saidfirst wireless device between a cellular system and said local loop, theat least one of deregistration and registration responsive to a detectedRF power level associated with the local loop; wherein the wirelessdevice is adapted to establish a local loop over an area via said radiofrequency transceiver; and wherein the wireless device is furtheradapted to receive and process a request and capable to establish atwo-way wireless connection between the wireless communication apparatusand a user communication apparatus.
 35. The device of claim 34, whereinsaid detected RF power level is adapted to provide registration of saidwireless communication apparatus with said local loop from said cellularsystem when said detected RF power level is above a predefined powerlevel.
 36. The device of claim 34, wherein the first wirelesscommunication apparatus is configured to process an associatedidentification number of at least one of the wireless communicationapparatus, the user communication apparatus, and a subscriber.
 37. Thedevice of claim 36, wherein the subscriber is one of at least thecellular system and the local loop.
 38. The device of claim 36, wherein:the associated identification number of at least one of the wirelesscommunication apparatus, the user communication apparatus, and thesubscriber comprises a carrier identification number; and the localexchange carrier is configured to provide wideband capability to thesubscriber.
 39. The device of claim 36, wherein: the associatedidentification number is selected from the group consisting of: a localphone number, a DID (Directory Inbound Dialing Number), a carrieridentification number, and a Mobile Identification Number (MIN); and thelocal exchange carrier is adapted to communicate over a wideband areanetwork.
 40. The device of claim 34, wherein the wireless communicationapparatus is adapted to operate on a dedicated frequency within thelocal loop.
 41. The device of claim 34, further comprising a databaseconfigured to provide a billing profile for communications associatedwith at least one of the user communication apparatus, the wirelesscommunication apparatus, and a subscriber.
 42. The device of claim 34,further comprising a customer profile to reduce communication charges inresponse to receipt of one or more discount service messages.
 43. Thedevice of claim 34, further comprising a database configured to provideservice information comprising instructions to reverse communicationcharges to a calling party.
 44. A wireless communication device,comprising: a module configured to communicate with a wireless localloop apparatus having a radio frequency transmitter, said radiofrequency transmitter configured to communicate with a local exchangecarrier to facilitate establishment of a local loop over a loop area;wherein the module is further configured to communicate an associatedmobile identification number and to provide multi-mode communication,the multi-mode communication comprising automatic roaming capabilitybetween said local loop and a regular cellular system in response a RFpower level of the local loop being detected above a threshold level;and wherein the wireless local loop apparatus is configured to receiveand process said associated mobile identification number such that awireless connection is capable of being made between said wirelesscommunication device and a user communication device, thereby allowingtwo-way communication to be established between said user communicationdevice and the wireless communication device.
 45. The device of claim44, wherein the wireless local loop apparatus is configured to processan associated identification number of at least one of the usercommunication device, the wireless communication device, and asubscriber.
 46. The device of claim 45, wherein: the associatedidentification number comprises a carrier identification number; and thelocal exchange carrier provides wideband capability to the subscriber.47. The device of claim 45, wherein: the associated identificationnumber is selected from the group consisting of: a local phone number, aDID (Directory Inbound Dialing number), a carrier identification number,and a Mobile Identification Number (MIN); and the local exchange carrieris configured to communicate over a wideband area network.
 48. Thedevice of claim 44, wherein the wireless communication device isconfigured to operate on a dedicated frequency within the local loop.49. The device of claim 44, further comprising an account associatedwith a calling party to charge at least a portion of charges associatedwith the two-way communication.
 50. The device of claim 44, wherein theassociated mobile identification number of the user communication devicecomprises a Directory Inbound Dialing (DID) number.
 51. The device ofclaim 44, wherein the local loop and the regular cellular system areadapted to utilize frequencies that are substantially close in a chosenfrequency spectrum.
 52. The device of claim 44, further comprising adatabase configured to provide an option of receiving airtime discountedservice (ADS) messages to reduce or prevent communication charges. 53.The device of claim 44, further comprising a database configured toreverse communication charges.
 54. The device of claim 44, wherein adatabase associated with the wireless communication device creditsbilling in response to received airtime discounted service (ADS)messages to reduce communication charges of at least one of a callingparty and a subscriber.